Inside Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental: Abu Dhabi’s Legendary Palace Hotel
A palace that lives up to its name
Ever since my first visit to Abu Dhabi more than a decade ago, one building stood out above everything else. Emirates Palace wasn’t simply another luxury hotel — it was the hotel everyone seemed to know. Even if you had never stayed there, chances were you had seen its golden dome on postcards, travel magazines, or photos of the city skyline.
In October 2025, I finally had the opportunity to experience it for myself. After years of wondering whether it could possibly live up to its legendary reputation, I arrived with very high expectations. Thankfully, this is one of those rare hotels that actually delivers.
Why Stay Here?
Arrival and Rooms
The arrival experience is every bit as grand as you’d hope. From the moment you pull up outside the palace, it’s immediately obvious that this isn’t an ordinary hotel.
Check-in was smooth and welcoming, complete with a refreshing welcome drink before a member of staff personally escorted us to our room. Given the sheer size of the property, this personal touch is genuinely appreciated—you could easily get lost during your first visit.
One of my biggest recommendations is to set aside some time simply to explore. Wander through the hallways, walk around the gardens, and admire the palace from both the inside and the outside. Every corner seems to reveal another impressive detail, whether it’s one of the countless chandeliers, the marble interiors or the beautifully maintained courtyards. The palace looks spectacular during the day, but it’s equally impressive after sunset when the entire building is illuminated.
The resort itself is enormous, so much so that guests are regularly transported around the property in golf buggies. While it’s perfectly possible to walk, the buggies make moving between the beach, pools and restaurants much more convenient.
The room itself was spacious, elegant and beautifully maintained. One detail that genuinely stood out to me was the minibar. It may sound like a small thing to highlight, but Mandarin Oriental has turned it into something that’s almost a piece of furniture rather than simply a cabinet for drinks. It’s honestly one of the nicest minibar designs I’ve come across in any hotel.
Like the rest of the property, the room strikes a balance between timeless elegance and modern comfort.
- Spacious rooms combining classic Arabian elegance with modern luxury.
- Beautiful marble bathrooms featuring separate bathtubs, walk-in showers and premium amenities.
- One of the most beautifully designed minibars I’ve seen in a luxury hotel.
- Excellent sound insulation despite the size of the resort, I did not heard any outside noise.
- Comfortable bedding and effective climate control made it easy to maintain the perfect sleeping temperature.
- The resort feels remarkably peaceful during the evening, making it easy to unwind after a day exploring the property.
Dining
Unfortunately, we had an early morning flight the following day, which meant we missed breakfast. Considering Mandarin Oriental’s reputation, that’s probably my biggest reason to return.
Instead, we decided to make the most of two of the hotel’s signature restaurants.
Lunch was at Talea by Antonio Guida, the hotel’s Michelin-starred Italian restaurant. If you visit, I highly recommend trying the pizza made with black charcoal dough. It isn’t just visually different—it was genuinely one of the better pizzas I’ve had in a luxury hotel.
Dinner was at Hakkasan, another Michelin-starred restaurant and one of the brand’s best-known names worldwide. The dim sum absolutely lived up to its reputation and ended up being one of the highlights of the entire stay.
If you only have time to try one restaurant during your visit, Hakkasan would easily be my recommendation.
Facilities and Experience
The resort offers two completely different pool experiences.
One area is designed with families in mind, featuring a lazy river and waterslides that make it easy to spend an entire afternoon there. The second pool feels noticeably calmer, with whirlpools, comfortable loungers and a pool bar creating a much more relaxed atmosphere.
Connecting both pool areas is the hotel’s impressive 1.3-kilometre private beach. Thanks to the size of the property, it never felt crowded during my stay, and there was always plenty of space whether by the pools or on the beach.
More than anything else, what impressed me throughout the stay was how effortlessly everything seemed to work. Service was consistently warm, professional and attentive without ever feeling intrusive. That’s something Mandarin Oriental has built its reputation on, and Emirates Palace is no exception.
Summary and Rates
Before arriving, I expected an impressive building. What I didn’t expect was how complete the overall experience would feel. From the moment you drive through the gates until the moment you leave, everything is designed to make you feel like you’re staying somewhere truly special.
The palace itself is undoubtedly the star of the show. Simply wandering through its grand corridors, beautifully landscaped gardens and elegant courtyards became one of my favourite parts of the stay. Few hotels encourage you to explore the property quite like this one, and I’d highly recommend setting aside some time to do exactly that.
The facilities are equally impressive. Whether you prefer relaxing on the 1.3-kilometre private beach, spending the day by two completely different pool areas, or enjoying dinner at one of the resort’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, it’s easy to spend several days here without ever feeling the need to leave.
The service was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Mandarin Oriental—professional, warm and consistently attentive without ever feeling overly formal. It’s this combination of world-class hospitality, iconic architecture and excellent dining that makes Emirates Palace much more than just another luxury hotel.
As we checked out, my wife and I both said the same thing: this definitely won’t be our last visit.
If you’re visiting Abu Dhabi and want to experience what is arguably the city’s most iconic hotel, I don’t think there’s a better choice. Emirates Palace isn’t simply a place to stay—it’s part of the destination itself.
Experience the Hotel in Motion
Click play to watch a short video tour showcasing the property’s atmosphere and key highlights.
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